Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Clarion call made to support educational strides
The business of education cannot be effectively done by officers and teachers within the education system alone. This notion was recently amplified by Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, who related that “for us to attain our broad objectives, we need the support of all of the people of this nation; we need Guyana to really make education a national priority.”
Alluding to the theme under which education month 2015 is currently being observed, ‘Quality educational leadership – improving schools from within’, Sam pointed to the fact that research has shown that there are key factors that collectively contribute to effective school environments.
“On the one hand we need committed, educated teachers who are adequately trained and competent to deliver on a daily basis,” said Sam.
He also pointed to the need for support from those within the immediate environment of educational institutions. Moreover, the CEO stressed the need for an enabling environment for the attainment of the education system’s objectives.
And since it is said that strong leadership is mandatory in order for the desired results to be realized, Sam noted that the Ministry this month has deliberately decided to direct keen focus on the importance of leadership.
According to him, in schools where there are managers who inspire and maintain a culture of excellence, you will find that those are the ones progressing.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam
But even as the Ministry seeks to preach the importance of support and leadership, Sam underscored the need for even those outside of the system, who have some sphere of influence, to ensure that they too strive to embrace the objectives of the education system in recognition of the fact that “we have a mission much too great to fail.”
He asserted that the work of the education sector is of critical importance to the nation and its people, thus, it must be thoroughly supported.
In stressing the sector’s crucial contribution to development, he shared his conviction that there is ample evidence in the education system that some things are already working. As such, Sam made reference to the accomplishments of Guyanese students who have excelled even on a regional scale. “Once we enter into a field within this Region, we will dominate,” he insisted.
But in order to add to the gains achieved, the CEO sounded a clarion call to the nation to begin the work necessary to have teachers reclaim their appropriate place in society. According to him, for too long teachers and teaching have been undermined and undervalued in many communities. “If we are to actually progress as a nation and fulfill our developmental objectives, our teachers need to be the ones who will lead that effort.”
“Our communities need to support our teachers, and we as a nation need to valorize teaching to ensure that they internalize the deep sense of responsibility as duty bearers and that they ensure on a daily basis that they execute their functions with the full knowledge that they are supported by this entire nation,” said Sam.
And it is the CEO’s belief that “we have a wonderful foundation to build on, where teachers, despite the challenges they face on a daily basis, have consistently contributed and have helped us to move the education agenda forward.”
Even as support is directed to teachers, Sam highlighted the need for a deep sense of concern to be simultaneously directed to the nation’s children. According to him, “too often we are fed the bad news but there are scores of young people in society who on a daily basis do amazing things but never end up on the front pages of our newspapers and it is high time that we turn things around a bit…”
He also stressed the need for youths to respect themselves and others as part of a collaborative effort to move forward in the quest to shaping and moulding the nation.
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